He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 482

(482) The Confederation of the Rhine Betrays

What about the allied nations?

“Run, now! Warsaw is a land of death!”

Warsaw to Munich is a full 1,000 kilometers.

There was an army that traversed that distance with truly high-speed marching.

It was the 80,000 troops that the Kingdom of Bavaria had drafted into the Russian expeditionary force.

Considering that the total draft from the Confederation of the Rhine was 150,000, Bavaria bore almost half of it.

However, they were busy fleeing, abandoning cannons, scattering supply wagons, and only the troops were preserved and returning.

Normally, they would take a break at this point, but the monarch at the head does not stop.

The man who held the position of Chancellor of the Kingdom, Count Montgelas, hurried to the king and asked.

“Your Royal Highness, shouldn’t we have examined the situation near Warsaw?”

“French personnel have been captured or fled. Prussia has declared the imperial title! Staying in that situation means one of two things: being branded as pro-French and killed, or becoming a puppet of Prussia!”

“Then, what should we do?”

King Maximilian Joseph shook his head and spurred his horse.

“That’s what I want to ask, Count Montgelas. I really don’t know what will become of Europe.”

Winter of 1809, Europe is truly in chaos.

Especially since the Russian expedition ended with Napoleon’s victory.

The Russian expedition, which took place about three years later in the original history, clearly ends with Napoleon’s retreat.

The Russian and Prussian allied forces pursued the fleeing Napoleon, and the Grande Armée [Napoleon’s Grand Army] was shattered.

Afterwards, Napoleon, who had fled to Paris alone, issued a new conscription order and prepared for a decisive battle.

Originally, in the original history, the situation was clear to the German princes, including the Kingdom of Bavaria.

It was the downfall of Napoleon.

But now it’s different.

Clearly, Napoleon won, but the Grande Armée was trapped in the winter mud.

In France, the homeland, there is no commander comparable to Napoleon, no charismatic politician, and not even a chancellor to lead the political situation.

However, Prussia seized half of the Russian expeditionary force that remained in Eastern Europe.

From Napoleon’s point of view, it is a coup, and from Prussia’s point of view, it is a struggle for independence.

In this situation, the King of Bavaria had no choice but to choose to return home.

Leading only his direct troops.

However, the king, who was carrying out a forced retreat march, neglecting all supplies, saw a familiar face in the distance.

Surprised, the king stopped his horse, and Queen Karoline von Baden, wearing a shawl, ran towards him.

“Good heavens, Your Majesty! What is all this about?”

“Oh, Queen. I hope our Amalia and Ludwig are safe too?”

“Of course. I was in a prayer meeting, worried you might be killed in action. But, why are you returning in such a hurry?”

On the outskirts of Munich, many people were gathered, holding an outdoor prayer meeting.

Only then did King Maximilian dismount from his horse, relieved.

It seems the Kingdom of Bavaria is still safe.

Then, no matter what happens externally, we can at least cope.

After briefly looking back at the returning army, Maximilian clearly stated the situation.

“There are two emperors. That’s the problem, Queen.”

Queen Karoline is from the Grand Duchy of Baden and is Maximilian’s second wife.

Originally, the Grand Duchy of Baden was a small country, so it was quite knowledgeable about international relations.

She was not particularly interested in state affairs and was a Protestant, so she did not interfere much in the kingdom’s affairs, but she quickly understood the problem facing the king.

The emperor has been resurrected, and that emperor is Prussia.

Could the Kingdom of Bavaria, which has been competing with Prussia for a long time, accept this?

“We have to choose between France and Prussia.”

“That’s right.”

“Then why are you hesitating? Didn’t France win the war against Russia? Of course, we should choose France, right?”

When Karoline asked, Maximilian shook his head with a troubled face.

“It’s not that simple. Going to Russia is difficult, but returning is even more difficult. Especially since both Warsaw and Hungary have blocked the way.”

This is the real reason why strategic ambiguity has intensified.

The French Imperial Army’s return is already difficult due to the rasputitsa [muddy road conditions due to seasonal thaw].

However, Poland and Hungary, which possess land return routes, have both transformed into hostile forces.

If they detour all the way through the Ottoman Empire, there is no guarantee that there will be no loss of troops in the process.

Moreover, going there was a short-term battle, and it was easy to receive help from the Ottoman Empire because the advantage was clear.

However, when returning, they are far from their homeland and must negotiate with the Ottoman Empire in an unfavorable situation.

Therefore, the allied monarchs of France, including Maximilian, came to the same conclusion.

Napoleon may be able to return, but it will be difficult for the Grande Armée to return safely.

The French Empire without an army is not to be feared.

However, there is a problem.

Can the god of war, Napoleon, really not return safely?

Especially with the sharpshooter, King Eugene of Spain, present.

Maximilian already knows how the enemies of France were defeated by the tactics of the ‘Bonaparte’ family in Jena and Austerlitz.

Then Queen Karoline sighed.

“So, that man has come here.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“The former Chancellor of Hungary, who always gives ominous advice.”

Karoline frowned and said.

“Metternich is now at the Munich Palace.”

At that moment, Maximilian got back on his horse.

“It seems Hungary has orchestrated this. I need to meet him.”

He had to meet Metternich as soon as possible.

***

Here, there is a man who would be called the best diplomat of the 19th century in the original history.

“Now is the opportunity. I, Metternich, guarantee it. King of Bavaria, if you want to have your position recognized in the new imperial system as well!”

Of course, Metternich has not yet achieved amazing feats.

Diplomacy is ultimately about adjusting what happens in reality through negotiation.

However, whether it is the Holy Roman Empire, Austria, or Hungary, they have been broken far more brutally than in the original history.

However, his capabilities are no different from history, so in this chaotic situation, Metternich has been running energetically.

King Maximilian, who has not yet decided on a strategic goal, asked again.

“The emperor of that empire is not a Habsburg, but a Hohenzollern?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you telling us to betray Napoleon in order to serve Prussia as emperor now?”

Of course, the Kingdom of Bavaria has actually fought with the Habsburgs several times.

Because they once aimed for the imperial throne.

However, they have generally aimed for the highest principality within the Holy Roman Empire, and Prussia, which first occupied the position of king, was one of Bavaria’s main competitors.

Even after the establishment of the German Empire in the original history, Bavaria maintained its independence and chose integration.

But in 1809, when Prussia does not yet have absolute superiority, they are rebelling because they are told to serve as emperor.

“Only that choice will make Bavaria the ruler of the Rhine. Your Majesty.”

If it weren’t for Metternich’s absurd words.

“What did you say just now?”

“The ruler of the Rhine. Shall I repeat it?”

“It sounds like Prussia or Hungary won’t do anything.”

After swallowing dry saliva for a moment, Maximilian glared at Metternich.

The eastern Rhine is a bit different from what is called Deutsch [German-speaking lands].

French culture is strongly ingrained, but the race is Germanic, and therefore, it has a history of going back and forth between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France like a seesaw game.

Talleyrand didn’t create the Confederation of the Rhine by gathering the principalities of the Rhine River area for nothing.

Furthermore, it is true that the Kingdom of Bavaria currently has the strongest military power in the Confederation of the Rhine.

However, there is a reason why Bavaria has repeatedly failed despite aiming for the imperial throne several times.

The other powerful countries in the Deutsch region, the former Austrian Empire and Prussia, checked it.

Metternich answered with a nonchalant face.

“Your Majesty, Hungary is struggling to restore the territory of the old Austria. Also, Prussia will be busy occupying Poland and the land of northern Deutsch.”

Metternich’s hand suddenly pointed to a map hanging on the wall of the Munich Palace.

“In that case, who will occupy the Rhine?”

All of that requires one premise.

The downfall of the French Empire.

Maximilian quietly looked at Metternich and asked.

“Interesting. Is this guaranteed by the King of Hungary?”

“Of course.”

“I guess there hasn’t been any talk with Prussia’s new [Kaiser] [Emperor]?”

Metternich nodded innocently.

“If you win the war, all of that will be renegotiated. Your Majesty.”

There is no agreement with Kaiser, soon self-proclaimed Emperor Wilhelm.

However, if they can really defeat Napoleon, it is certain that it is definitely possible.

Since the old empire, Austria, lost its hegemony, there is no country with clear hegemony and strong power in the Deutsch region due to France’s fragmentation policy.

Maximilian calculated in his head and asked again.

“I’m curious about the strategy of King Karl, who is known as a great general.”

“Napoleon will move after spring. And that’s late spring.”

“Reason?”

Metternich’s answer was ordinary.

“Only then will the muddy road end.”

Maximilian was disappointed, then widened his eyes.

This is not Metternich’s judgment, but King Karl’s thought.

Also, it means that if the mud disappears by late spring, Napoleon can no longer be stopped.

Then the premise that Poland or Hungary is blocking it is broken.

In the end, if Napoleon has no choice but to return, how are they going to win?

“Should we gather an army until late spring?”

“You must issue a general mobilization order. You must defeat the pro-French princes and blockade France.”

“Without attacking Paris?”

When Maximilian asked anxiously, Metternich smiled slyly.

“That is only possible when two conditions are met. One is that the British army lands, and the other is that a rebellion breaks out within France.”

He had already discerned that Maximilian had half fallen for it.

However, even knowing that, Maximilian had no choice but to fall into it.

One of the essential conditions, the premise that the mainland of the French Empire is out of Napoleon’s hands, was in Metternich’s implication.

“I understood the British army landing. But a rebellion breaking out within France?”

After taking a moment to choose his words, making Maximilian anxious, Metternich said.

“Anti-Napoleon forces are already moving.”

Then, this gamble has a chance of winning.

***

In the end, Maximilian decided.

“I announce to the princes of the Rhine. I, Maximilian Joseph, the leader of the Rhine, intend to determine the direction of the Confederation of the Rhine!”

In the Munich Palace, the princes of the Confederation of the Rhine, with anxious faces, looked at each other.

Most of the princes of the Rhine arrived in the Kingdom of Bavaria only late.

This is because they had to forcibly watch the mass coup d’état and the emperor’s self-proclamation caused by the Kaiser, and even the coronation ceremony.

But as soon as they returned, the King of Bavaria, the foremost figure in the alliance, was doing something absurd.

“Your Majesty, King of Bavaria, are you perhaps trying to betray the Emperor?”

“That’s wrong.”

“Then, what is the reason you gathered us now?”

Karl Theodor von Dalberg, the Elector of Mainz, asked.

Originally, he was the Archbishop before the Holy Roman Empire was destroyed, was forcibly made an Elector by Napoleon, and is now the symbolic chairman of the alliance.

However, if the King of Bavaria, the de facto leader of the alliance, forces it, it is also true that there are no princes with the power to resist.

King Maximilian of Bavaria announced.

“I intend to declare the independence of the Rhine!”

The princes of the Confederation of the Rhine, countless dukes ranging from Hesse-Darmstadt, Württemberg, to Liechtenstein, looked at each other.

“In, independence. When were we ever subordinate?”

“Oh, that’s a rebellion against France.”

“Um, the Emperor is still in Moscow, or was it Saint Petersburg?.”

However, Maximilian quickly persuaded the princes.

“Emperor Napoleon may not return anytime soon. Also, Hungary and Prussia have each raised large armies! If we want to survive in this situation, we must unite. Furthermore, we must seek an independent path for the Rhine!”

Without giving them a chance to think, Maximilian shouted.

“Therefore, as the leader of the Rhine, I intend to defend our freedom and peace with the allied nations as an allied army!”

Clearly, Hungary has rebelled against Napoleon.

Also, Prussia suddenly proclaimed itself Kaiser [Emperor].

If they cope individually in this situation, they will be trampled by both countries, or trampled by the returning Napoleon.

In the end, the princes of the Confederation of the Rhine participated in the confusion.

“Long live the Bavarian leader!”

“Follow the leader!”

“For the independence and freedom of the Rhine!”

Watching the princes shouting without conviction, Maximilian drew his sword and announced.

“Now, the era of the Rhine, independent from France, will begin!”

At this moment, Maximilian, the leader of the chaotic Confederation of the Rhine, was born.